PPG wrote:The fact is, Hazen is to fast and to strong to be stopped. Hazen has to many weapons and is very explosive on offense. Hazen's starting defense has only given up 4 TDs in 10 games! DLB is big and physical. However, speed kills! Hazen over DLB. Hazen over Linton for the state title.

Talk about HEART and DEDICATION! Hazen players spend more time training, pumping iron and conditioning in the off season then most people care to imagine. Hazen lives and breaths football 365 days a year, that's why year after year they go deep into the playoffs. Fact is, Hazen players have more HEART and DEDICATION then most teams care to dream about. Nothing against DLB players and staff, but Hazen will come prepared and ready to battle to the very end, no matter what.

I would venture to guess that any/all of the teams to get this far have put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into their season. Hazen is not alone in that department. That being said, the boys will settle it on the field...may the best team win!

PPG wrote:Talk about HEART and DEDICATION! Hazen players spend more time training, pumping iron and conditioning in the off season then most people care to imagine. Hazen lives and breaths football 365 days a year, that's why year after year they go deep into the playoffs. Fact is, Hazen players have more HEART and DEDICATION then most teams care to dream about. Nothing against DLB players and staff, but Hazen will come prepared and ready to battle to the very end, no matter what.

I do not claim to be a great historian of western football. But this is the second year in a row that I would say that Hazen has went deep in the playoffs. I wouldn't say that they go deep year after year. I can't remember them having really good teams other than last years team over the past ten years. I may be wrong, like I said western football history is not my strong suit. What other years have they been really good since 2000?

Since 2001 Hazen has made the semi finals 9 times and missed the playoffs 1 time. That is going deep into the playoffs. That is a fact. That includes AA and A football. The only other teams in class AA and A that have done as well is Watford City, Trinity and Velva. In AAA football Bismarck stands alone. However, Hazen has had a slight problem with getting past the semi's, making it to state only 3 times Both semi final games should be fun to watch and every one should go out and support your team!

Blackheart wrote:What factor will weather play in this weekends games? Going to be 30s/40s in Des Lacs on Saturday. Probably no snow, but chance of rain Friday/Saturday...wet/slick field conditions favor one team over the other?

Weather is such an unpredictable factor in any game. I'm not sure of Hazen's performance in adverse conditions, but I know that DLB has proven their ability to play in heavy rain, strong wind gusts and cold weather. When they played the Bombers, DLB experienced all three conditions and took care of the ball. They had no turnovers and dominated the running/passing game. It will be very interesting to see which team handles the weather best.(My bet-DLB ) Congrats to both Hazen and DLB for having such a great season and providing your fans with some unforgettable football moments! Having said that, the Lakers will give me yet another unforgettable moment when they beat the Bison 28-21.GO BIG RED!!

Play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back.

While its quite obvious that Hazen has developed a winning tradition, so has Linton. MNS has gotten stronger now that they have stay under one system for a number of years and while I am not familiar with DLB obviously they are doing something right. 3 of the 4 have been in the state title game each year since 2010 (MNS, Linton and last years champ Hazen). I think this will be a great weekend of football. Lets hope all four play their best and make it through the games without any injuries. Good luck to all.

sportscrazy wrote:While its quite obvious that Hazen has developed a winning tradition, so has Linton. MNS has gotten stronger now that they have stay under one system for a number of years and while I am not familiar with DLB obviously they are doing something right. 3 of the 4 have been in the state title game each year since 2010 (MNS, Linton and last years champ Hazen). I think this will be a great weekend of football. Lets hope all four play their best and make it through the games without any injuries. Good luck to all.

The first/only time DLB has been to the Dakota Bowl was in 1993. (The very first Dakota Bowl) They went on to win the game and were state champs! I think we, the Lakers, are overdue for another championship!!

Play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back.

d_fense wrote:To get to the semi finals in AA you only need to win one playoff game.

Why don't you go to the AA board and say that making it to the semi's isn't impressive cause you only won one game. The fact is Hazen only missed the playoffs once since 2000 in AA and A. And 9 semi's in those 13 years is very impressive. Your post is extremely rude to what Rick Philion has done since he got to Hazen.

sportscrazy wrote:It's all semantics. We all know what we are referring too. I consider the Dakota bowl the state championship. And all others qualifiers. Otherwise you would have to consider Basketball and Volleyball regionals as part of the "state" tournament. Getting in the playoffs is great but the big game is what we all strive for.

Careful with that "regionals being a part of the state tournament" stuff, your going to get Heimer all worked up again!

25% of AA teams make it to the semi finals. I am not saying the teams are not good. But it is math. Growing up, I think I would have been disappointed if I was not in the top 25% of something I cared about and tried hard to be good at. There will always be good, average, and poor in everything. You could be talking about the classroom, the field, or at the workplace, I don't care. If you really care about something and are passionate about it, are you happy just being in the top quarter? If you are, good for you. I will hire the guy who wants more.

You're diminishing Hazen's success because it came at a higher level than they play right now. Try playing the teams in the AA semi-finals. Hazen has had a strong program since the 90's, but since you haven't paid attention to them it doesn't count.

I dont think anyone is trying to take anything away from the accomplishments Hazen has had...simply stating that once you make the playoffs, one win gets you into the quarters...their record is indeed impressive; the consistency just to make the playoffs, much less win at a high level is not in dispute...they certainly appear to be a favorite this year but I will root for my team all the same...Good luck to all the remaining teams; you have had a heck of a year to get this far. Go Lakers!